When Feeling a Bit “Blah-ish”, in a Funk, or a Tad Tired | Scotty Smith

     For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn…

fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus. 2 Cor. 7:5-6

Gracious Father, the incidental pictures in the Scriptures are often as profound as the extraordinary promises. We’re thankful for this story of a conflicted, tired, and “out-of-gas” Paul being comforted by a good friend. For some of us begin today feeling a little on the “blah-ish” side of things.

Thank you for reminding us that even your most faithful servants—those who know you well, those whose grasp of the gospel is a zillion times better than ours—even these men and women experience restlessness and weariness.

It’s wrong to assume if we prayed enough, believed enough, or were filled enough with the Spirit, we’d always abound in energy and joy. That’s a grace-less myth. The gospel frees us to be human, not Superman or Wonder Woman.

Father, thank you for comforting us when we are downcast. You don’t deride us, chide us, or hide from us. You comfort us. You’re “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3).

And thank you for the comforters you send us. Though you’re quite capable of sending ravens and rainbows, and manna and miracles, more often than not you send a Titus to a Paul (2 Cor. 7:6) or a Phoebe to a Paul (Rom. 16:1). You love to show your kindness for your people through your people.

Father, on this wet, cold November morning in Franklin, TN, I’ll wait for your grace as I bring you my semi-weighed-down heart. And I pray the same for those in my daily prayer-posse. Help us be honest about our hearts, expectant of your comfort, and thankful for your provision.

And make us sensitive to the needs of others around us. We may be more helpful to others in our weakness than in our “all-together-ness.” Point us towards other weary travelers who need a kind word of comfort today. So very Amen we pray with anticipation, in Jesus’ compassionate name.

Scotty Smith is the founding pastor of Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennessee.